Clarksson, May and Hammond were all motoring journalists and not famous before joining Top Gear. I would much rather they had gone down that route again. Any famous choice for host will already have baggage and may be cautious, not wanting to be controversial and spoil their reputation.

Clarkson was a celebrity when modern Top Gear began. He'd done a talk show and had numerous DVDs, the stunts of which were all repeated on modern Top Gear. Modern Top Gear was basically his talk show and his DVDs combined into an hour long TV show.

Hammond and May were not complete nobodies when they started either. In fact, James May was touted to replace Clarkson when he left original TOp Gear. I suspect that anyone else brought into the show will be a much smaller fish than Evans, although probably not a complete nobody because the show is so much bigger than it was in 2003.

But Clarkson was unknown when he first joined Top Gear.

May and Hammond had both done very little TV work before Top Gear. May was a well renowned motoring journalist and Hammond was plugging away doing little bits on Man and Motors.

I believe both had applied for the Top Gear job previously in the late 90s.

Old Top Gear is not new Top Gear. Other than the name and the fact they are about cars the two shows share nothing, and we would not be getting the reaction if PunchGate had happened on old Top Gear. Saying that Clarkson was unknown when he started doing Top Gear back in the 1980s is just being pedantic and not a like for like comparision.

The formula for the reboot Top Gear started as things were in 2002. And Clarkson was a well known celebrity back then.

Clarksson, May and Hammond were all motoring journalists and not famous before joining Top Gear. I would much rather they had gone down that route again. Any famous choice for host will already have baggage and may be cautious, not wanting to be controversial and spoil their reputation.

Clarkson was a celebrity when modern Top Gear began. He'd done a talk show and had numerous DVDs, the stunts of which were all repeated on modern Top Gear. Modern Top Gear was basically his talk show and his DVDs combined into an hour long TV show.

Hammond and May were not complete nobodies when they started either. In fact, James May was touted to replace Clarkson when he left original TOp Gear. I suspect that anyone else brought into the show will be a much smaller fish than Evans, although probably not a complete nobody because the show is so much bigger than it was in 2003.

But Clarkson was unknown when he first joined Top Gear.

May and Hammond had both done very little TV work before Top Gear. May was a well renowned motoring journalist and Hammond was plugging away doing little bits on Man and Motors.

I believe both had applied for the Top Gear job previously in the late 90s.

Old Top Gear is not new Top Gear. Other than the name and the fact they are about cars the two shows share nothing, and we would not be getting the reaction if PunchGate had happened on old Top Gear. Saying that Clarkson was unknown when he started doing Top Gear back in the 1980s is just being pedantic and not a like for like comparision.

The formula for the reboot Top Gear started as things were in 2002. And Clarkson was a well known celebrity back then.

Clarksson, May and Hammond were all motoring journalists and not famous before joining Top Gear. I would much rather they had gone down that route again. Any famous choice for host will already have baggage and may be cautious, not wanting to be controversial and spoil their reputation.

I agree. Whilst I haven't got anything against Chris Evans, all of his shows seem to follow a similar formula and so it's not difficult to imagine what his version of Top Gear will be like. Although he will probably generate good ideas and is clearly determined to make a good show, I feel like it was just the safest option as he seems to be the BBCs blue-eyed boy at the moment.

Old Top Gear is not new Top Gear. Other than the name and the fact they are about cars the two shows share nothing, and we would not be getting the reaction if PunchGate had happened on old Top Gear. Saying that Clarkson was unknown when he started doing Top Gear back in the 1980s is just being pedantic and not a like for like comparision.

The formula for the reboot Top Gear started as things were in 2002. And Clarkson was a well known celebrity back then.

I wouldn't say nothing Clarkson, May, Wilman, a theme tune to name just some of the things they share.

Too bad, I was hoping for Netflix. I already have a Netflix account and I'm definitely not about to sign up to two or more streaming services. It's not that I can't afford it but I'm not signing up for one show only - where does it end then?

Too bad, I was hoping for Netflix. I already have a Netflix account and I'm definitely not about to sign up to two or more streaming services. It's not that I can't afford it but I'm not signing up for one show only - where does it end then?

Maybe they will sell it on to other broadcasters. I'm not familiar with Amazon's business model for this area, but it was reputedly the BBC's most sold production, perhaps it will be sold to terrestrial networks after a few months.

I did a quick search earlier, around£500k was the only number that I found. I need some context to know if that is a lot of money or not. Does the Amazon number include the presenters and producers wages and startup costs for example.

Wow, the BBC coverage page for this seems to make out like people hate the idea? Or at least that it is on the whole unpopular?

I'm not particularly in favour of keeping TG, but the two guys announced so far seem pretty good. Le Blanc knows his cars as far as I know, he's a reasonably charming guy and given this is a show the BBC sells, he is a reasonably big name - even if it has been over a decade since Friends. As ever, I'll wait and see but I'm thinking this seems at least on the positive side of things.

I assume there will be a 3rd host announced at some time. Maybe they'll try to distance themselves from the popular TG recent format and not go with 3.

Wow, the BBC coverage page for this seems to make out like people hate the idea? Or at least that it is on the whole unpopular?

I'm not particularly in favour of keeping TG, but the two guys announced so far seem pretty good. Le Blanc knows his cars as far as I know, he's a reasonably charming guy and given this is a show the BBC sells, he is a reasonably big name - even if it has been over a decade since Friends. As ever, I'll wait and see but I'm thinking this seems at least on the positive side of things.

I assume there will be a 3rd host announced at some time. Maybe they'll try to distance themselves from the popular TG recent format and not go with 3.

Yes it's surprising there is still so much strong feeling about this.

I guess for a lot of folk absolutely no presenter would measure up by virtue of the fact it’s not Clarkson. They are obviously still thinking in terms of the new team being a replacement for the beloved three amigos rather than being something completely new and different.

As a Clarkson/TG fan who finds Evans mildly irritating I do actually think Matt Leblanc is an excellent choice, he has good petrolhead credentials, I think his slightly childish and un-PC sense of humour will play well to Clarkson fans, plus he’s one of these guys that’s difficult not to like.

I am actually quite interested to see the new LeBlanc / Evans Top Gear. I stopped watching TG a few years back as the whole thing got very contrived and despite attempts to appear otherwise VERY 'scripted'.

_________________Shoot999: "And anyone who puts a Y on the end of his name as a nickname should be punched in the face repeatedly."

That's put the tin hat on it for me, I'm sorry but I can't watch Evans and EJ together on the screen and certainly not talking about cars. A pity, some of the other players in the line up look okay. Sabine Schmidt is undoubtedly the best option to fill the obligatory, politically correct female slot, she can actually drive a car without squealing like she's seen a mouse.

Well, neither Hammond, May or Clarkson are particularly fantastic drivers with racing backgrounds, so I'm not sure that's a valid argument.People are jumping the gun about the new TG. Just wait it out and see what happens.

Well, neither Hammond, May or Clarkson are particularly fantastic drivers with racing backgrounds, so I'm not sure that's a valid argument.People are jumping the gun about the new TG. Just wait it out and see what happens.

I think BBC is trying to make it different than it was during Clarkson era, so it's difficult to say whether someone with serious racing skills is good fit or not. I hope both Amazon and BBC shows are good.

Well, neither Hammond, May or Clarkson are particularly fantastic drivers with racing backgrounds, so I'm not sure that's a valid argument.People are jumping the gun about the new TG. Just wait it out and see what happens.

I think BBC is trying to make it different than it was during Clarkson era, so it's difficult to say whether someone with serious racing skills is good fit or not. I hope both Amazon and BBC shows are good.

Same here. The more quality shows, the better.

With the full cast now announced, Harris and Schmitz are in as well. That's a good variety of people, most of which I actually like. So why not give it a chance then.

From an international point of view I think this new top gear is doomed to fail, and mostly because of their new team. Which is bad news for the BBC as it was the most watched show in the world and their major cash cow.

I would describe the team as lacklustre at best. Apparently there are 7 now? The fact that Joey is the major draw card now says it all really, I mean I loved friends!... But I'm not going to tune in every week and watch him talk about cars. I obviously know who Sabine Schmitz, but that's about it. Same goes for Eddie Jordan, clearly know him, but still couldn't care less.

As for the rest I have never heard of Chris Evans before (I actually had to look up "new top gear" just to remember his name) and the first article I find is criticising the BBC for choosing someone who is a complete unknown outside the UK. That's an understatement. Then there is some YouTube guy and a tech gadget journalists? No idea what their names are.

From an international point of view I think this new top gear is doomed to fail, and mostly because of their new team. Which is bad news for the BBC as it was the most watched show in the world and their major cash cow.

I would describe the team as lacklustre at best. Apparently there are 7 now? The fact that Joey is the major draw card now says it all really, I mean I loved friends!... But I'm not going to tune in every week and watch him talk about cars. I obviously know who Sabine Schmitz, but that's about it. Same goes for Eddie Jordan, clearly know him, but still couldn't care less.

As for the rest I have never heard of Chris Evans before (I actually had to look up "new top gear" just to remember his name) and the first article I find is criticising the BBC for choosing someone who is a complete unknown outside the UK. That's an understatement. Then there is some YouTube guy and a tech gadget journalists? No idea what their names are.

I'd say they are, internationally and among car-enthusiasts, better known than Clarkson, May and Hammond were when Top Gear started. That didn't stop the show from becoming huge.Chris Harris is not "some YouTube" guy, he is well-known in car enthusiast circles and not just in the UK. Same for Schmitz. Leblanc is an out-and-out car enthousiast, why would he be worse than the trio?

The more I think of it, the more I believe this is a great cast. Of course a lot depends on how they are casted - for that we will have to wait.

I will probably still watch it whenever I get the chance, I've just got no real excitement to do so. Always looked forward to top gear this time of year too (sure less the last couple of years when it was becoming more and more scripted and skit like, but still looked forward to it as a bit of fun). Just looked them up (the ones I don't know) and yeah Chris Harris seems a good fit and well embedded in the industry (still have no idea who he is though)

Rory someone and a DJ... Yeah, Nah I tried but I just can't get excited about it. I'll give it a go, but it's not selling itself to me. Now "old top gear" with the might of Amazon behind it! Say no more! I'm in! Don't care how silly it is, I'm looking forward to wasting a couple of hours on a Monday night chuckling away at childish shenanigans.